Long ago I lived in Arcata. I was a lefty back then, a social justice activist (SJA). I still am in many ways. I want equality for all. But I am turned off by social justice warriors (SJWs). Many of their causes are little more than knee-jerk, emotional reactions designed for the sole purpose of gaining “moral high ground” over others. They believe in boosting the position of one demographic at the expense of another and goose-stepping to their political overlords’ commands. As far as I’m concerned, SJWs are no different than hardline conservatives and white supremacist groups in terms of spewing pure nonsense and hatred.

There’s nothing wrong with fighting for social justice unless your goal is to shove a bizarre and idealistic view of society down everyone’s throat and then silence those who disagree. That’s precisely what’s going on throughout the nation, especially in our colleges and universities. SJWs are humorless, aggressive and easily offended. They focus on decrying any little issue and digging up problems on the opposite side of the political/social spectrum. For them, it’s not about changing the world; it’s about finding a way to feel superior.

SJW dialogue is rarely constructive and is often used to redirect discrimination. They focus on the evils of white people instead of addressing the disadvantages faced by minorities. They are more concerned with harming men than empowering women. They push every issue far beyond its limit. For instance, a SJA will try to get a ramp added to a building for easier wheelchair access. A SJW, on the other hand, will insist that the stairs be removed because they might offend people who can’t use them.

Social equality is a noble pursuit, but when demonstrated by the wrong people it plays into the worst kind of left-wing politics imaginable and morphs into pure insanity. Do you know how much self-centeredness it takes to believe your cause is more important than anyone else’s? That’s typical of liberal college towns where the minds of citizens are stopped up like blocked septic tanks, and students are terrified of anything that might cause them the slightest emotional uncertainty.

Basically, SJWs embody a high number of qualities which define what it means to be intolerable. They are hellbent on creating a culture of drowning out members of “the opposition” by using a sanctimonious holier-than-thou morality as a means to lord over them. SJWs simply cannot grasp the fact that you can fight for a cause without being an insufferable fool.

I’m sure most SJWs believe they are a modern-day Martin Luther King or a Gandhi, but they are completely the opposite. They see themselves as enlightened and everyone else as dumb by virtue of not agreeing with them. It makes rational discussion beyond problematic. They are not interested in honest dialogue and prefer to use a ridiculous “you’re either with us or against us” approach, which rarely works and actually creates more enemies than allies.

I’m old-school in that I believe you have to get used to people saying angry and often hurtful things on a daily basis (Facebook and Twitter immediately come to mind). You can’t fight sexism, racism, homophobia and hatred if you don’t even know where it’s coming from. It’s much better to learn to stand up for yourself rather than have everyone protecting you from the harshness of the real world. It’s like how home-schooled children can be socially awkward because they’ve been protected from the real world. Kids (and adults) need to face at least some adversity and learn how to deal with it.

Maybe it’s time for SJWs to step back and look at the big picture. Here are a few points to consider: Democrats are no more compassionate and caring than Republicans. Not all wisdom comes from a college education; true intelligence stems from common sense. If you want to protect free speech, stop trying to drown out others and promote unnecessary censorship. Learn how to take a comment without being “triggered.” Just because you’re offended doesn’t necessarily mean you are right.

I believe in the free marketplace of ideas. I would much rather know what people think than force their silence. After that I can decide on my own if I agree or find them objectionable. Even those who have disturbing comments should be allowed to have their say. Otherwise their views will never be contested and they may express them in an even more destructive way, like through actual discrimination. Believe me, that’s when things really get ugly.

Tim Martin resides in Fortuna and contributes this column to the Times-Standard. Email him at tmartin@sitestar.net.